A large proportion of candidates get rejected during the aptitude testing phase when applying for a job. The article below will give you insights to help you be among those who have made it and got a job at GSK, first time.

You will find a step-by-step summary of the best tips for successfully passing the GSK assessment process during recruitment. These are research-based, and developed by our team of organisational psychologists and recruiters who have previously worked for major test providers (CEB SHL and IBM Kenexa) and global multinationals. Let’s start.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is a British pharmaceutical company headquartered in London. Although it was established in 2000, via a merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, by 2015 GSK was already ranked the sixth largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

GSK receive thousands of applications each year for just a few job openings. All candidates have great academic results and other achievements, so you need to make sure you perform your best at every stage of the GSK recruitment process, which is as follows:

STEP 1

Start by doing your research on GSK, and then find a suitable role. After doing this, you will need to complete the online form, which will include:

Your education history

Your resume

Your previous experiences

Motivational questions, which will be based on your role

Tip: Always double check if you have provided accurate information before your submission. Never leave this until the last minute – in fact, try to apply as early as possible as applications are often reviewed on a rolling basis.

Save your inputs on your PC to track information you have provided, and remember these facts for when you get to the interview stages – especially if you apply to multiple jobs/employers.

STEP 2

World of GSK Online Assessment

This type of assessment will examine whether you as a candidate are suitable to be a future leader at GSK. In the course of the assessment, you will watch videos showing some daily scenarios that you are very likely to encounter when working at GSK. You will then be asked to evaluate these situations against some possible course of actions. You will have to decide how you would react in these situations, and manage specific issues.

World of GSK Online Assessment Tip #1: Always start by reading all the information, rather than evaluating it as you go along. This will help you to make better decisions. Try to understand the situation first – and only then start thinking about possible solutions.

World of GSK Online Assessment Tip #2: When thinking about possible solutions and your reactions, do your best at reflecting your natural characteristics and personality. However, try to also bear in mind skills and competencies that are sought after by GSK for this particular role, and try to incorporate these into your answers.

The main difficulty in this ability test comes from the fact that all answers might seem to be good ideas. They will all have some good qualities – so you need to differentiate between which ones are really key.

How can you practice for the World of GSK Online Assessment?

This type of online assessment is somewhat similar to the more general type of Situational Judgement Tests – in which candidates are presented with a specific scenario and asked to evaluate best and worst courses of actions. Although specific questions may vary due to particular roles and companies, generally speaking, the types of situations and response formats will be similar.

Situational Judgement Test Example

STEP 3

GSK Life Job Simulation

In the GSK Life Job Simulation, you will be presented with some work scenarios. These will include some key business facts that may be either qualitative or quantitative. This part of the assessment is also likely to include motivational questions, such as: Why do you want to work for GSK? Why are you interested in this particular role? What makes you a good candidate?.

Ultimately, you will be required to answer through video, multiple choice questions and writing.

GSK Video Answer Tips:

Firstly, the outfit you choose to wear is just as important as it would be in the real interview. You need to also make sure that the space behind you is clear of any distractions and looks professional.

Remember that your body language and voice say a lot about you and set the first impression. Speak clearly, look directly into the camera, and practice to sound both relaxed and confident.

GSK Motivational Questions Tips:

When you are asked a question, always take a few seconds to plan the answer. Think of various examples of situations where you succeeded at something and demonstrated your skills, and then explain carefully what the situation was, how you reacted and what the outcome was. Use the STAR framework to do so: Situation, Task, Action and Result. Every time you answer the question, make sure to talk precisely about each of these points. Also, make sure there is a logical flow between situations you describe using STAR.

Want to know what questions could come up in your interview? Graduates First can help with the Question Identifier Tool (QIT). You can purchase it here.

STEP 4

GSK Assessment Centre

Congratulations if you have made it this far! However, do not relax just yet. The GSK Assessment Centre is up next. This is a chance for you to come and meet people working at GSK, network and find answers to your questions. Remember, from the moment you step into the office you will be evaluated on a number of behaviours and competencies, so make sure you present yourself appropriately: be self-confident and polite, make contact with as many people as you can while you are in the office, and most importantly – just be yourself and relax.

It is also worth noting that there are a number of different exercises you might be asked to complete. Some of the most traditional assessment centre exercises are described below.

Assessment Centre exercises

Examples of exercises you might need to complete during GSK’s Assessment Centre include:

In this task, you will be assessed on your ability to communicate and reach decisions as part of a team. You will be observed by GSK recruiters throughout the exercise, so make sure to demonstrate your strengths and share your ideas, but also be ready to appreciate others’ input and develop on their points. Try to persuade others towards your ideas and ask interesting questions, and most importantly – remain calm and speak clearly.

You will be given around 20 minutes to work in a pair and analyse a set of information. You and your partner will then need to prepare your response. In the second part, your interviewer will play the role of a client and you will be representing GSK. In this task, you will need to demonstrate your negotiation skills, teamwork, and analytical thinking.

In this exercise, you will work on your own to prepare a response to a case study problem in the candidate brief provided to you. You will need to develop your arguments fully, and will need to persuade the recipient towards your team’s recommendations. The best practice is to start by analysing all the information and planning your response – only then should you start writing your response. Be sure to check your grammar and spelling throughout the essay, and be cautious of the time that you have been allocated – sometimes it might be better to skip some points in order to finish on time.

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